Friday, January 29, 2010

I have done a lot of talking and thinking lately on how to expand and grow my business. Coming up with new and marketable products can be a frustrating and sometimes difficult process. Is there anything out there like your idea? Will people want to buy it? What kind options can you offer for it? Will others recommend your product? What should you charge....the questions and decisions are sometimes endless.

Then when you do come up with a product that is successful and you begin making that product over and over, you can get stuck in a rut. When this happens, I usually look for outside inspiration to change things up. I love when someone challenges me to make something that I may not have thought about on my own. It is a breath of fresh air to work with a customer or friend on that perfect custom piece. One of the BEST things about designing is making someone else's vision come to life. And better yet, to make it even better than they pictured in their head. LOVE THAT! It is one of the main reasons I do what I do.

Sometimes it is as simple as needing a jumping off point. Inspiration comes from everywhere....your kids, family, nature, a beautiful fabric....Sometimes it comes in the way of handmade, polymer clay BUTTONS!! Yep, beautiful, eye candy, perfect little BUTTONS!!

The perfect opportunity for me to try something new came to me by way of Tessa Ann of The Button Shop. It is opportunities like these that help me think outside of the box, get inspired by other's work and share that inspiration with all of you.